Colorado CNA Practice Exam 2026 - Free CNA Practice Questions and Study Guide

Brenda is using the defense mechanism of rationalization. This is because she is giving seemingly logical reasons for her mistake, such as being distracted by the resident's complaints, in order to justify or excuse her behavior. The other options are incorrect for the following reasons

A: Denial - This is when a person refuses to accept or acknowledge the reality of a situation. In this scenario, Brenda is not denying that she made a mistake, she is rationalizing it.

B: Projection - This is when a person unconsciously attributes their own thoughts, feelings, or motives onto another person. In this situation, Brenda is not projecting her own actions onto the resident, she is acknowledging her own mistake.

D: Repression - This is when a person unconsciously blocks out or suppresses memories, feelings, or impulses that are too uncomfortable to face. In this scenario, Brenda is aware of her mistake and is actively trying to come up with an excuse for it.

Overall, the most appropriate defense mechanism in this situation is rationalization because Brenda is attempting to make her mistake seem reasonable or justifiable, rather than acknowledging her responsibility for it.